Mineral aggregates are a component of composite materials such as concrete and asphalt used to add strength to the overall composite material. For this reason, International Standards require several and precise tests on their properties.
Like aggregates, rocks need special cares too: a rock stratum undergoes several alterations in case of excavations and handlings. As a result, specific studies on the properties of intact rocks are required.
Visit this section and discover Matest extensive range of testing equipment for aggregates and rocks.
Ovens and Muffles
Laboratory ovens with accurate temperature control through PID technology. Perfect for soil, aggregate and asphalt testing.
Climatic Chambers
For samples which require an accurate execution of tests, the climatic chamber is the right solution to test humidity and temperature of materials.
Melting Pots
Designed for melting wax and similar materials, it maintains heat from room temperature to max. 350 °C. Available in different dimensions and capacities.
Chemical and Thermal Tests
Matest supplies equipment for aggregate and concrete testing, covering numerous test methods covering the fields of aggregate acceptance testing, microstructure, air void structure and durability testing.
Dessicators Borosilicate Glass
Desiccators borosilicate glasses are ideal to carry out chemical tests with reduced danger of glass breakage and chemical resistant finish. Complete with perforated porcelain plate, they are available with or without vacuum.
Scratch Hardness Test Apparatus
This device is used to determine the quantity of soft particles in coarse aggregates. The apparatus consists of a metal sliding rod ended with a round point of 1.6 mm diameter, mounted in a suitable frame.
Sample Splitters
Used for the precise division into two representative portions of materials such as aggregates, sand, gravel and similar. They can have large capacities and can be painted steel or stainless steel made.
Bulk Density and Voids Measures
Used to determine the loose bulk density and voids of aggregates. Stainless steel made, the 10, 20 and 50 liters models have handles. Multiple models available:
- A069: 1 litre capacity
- A069-01: 5 litres capacity
- A069-02: 10 litres capacity
- A069-03: 20 litres capacity
- A069-04: 50 litres capacity
Sieves
Matest offers high quality and durable sieves to be used in aggregates testing applications. They are available in different forms and dimensions.
Flakiness and Elongation Index
A particle is flaky when its smallest dimension is less than 0.6 of the average size of the fraction. The gauge is used to determine this property of aggregates.
Sieves Shakers
Matest sieves shakers can be used to sieve all the range of our materials with variable intensity. They can handle many sieves at the same time. They are available in different capacities and they can be hand or motor operated.
Efflux Index Apparatus
Used to measure the efflux index of fine aggregates (shape and angularity). The efflux index of an aggregate is the required time in seconds of a known volume of aggregates to flow from a known opening.
Abrasion Machines
The analysis of the degradation of mineral aggregates is important to measure the quality of aggregates showing similar mineral characteristics.
Skid Resistance and Friction Tester
The tester measures the energy loss when a rubber slider edge is propelled over the surface under test. The release mechanism of the pendulum arm has an original solution reducing the friction to minimum for better accuracy.
Aggregate Impact Value Apparatus
Used to determine the impact value of aggregates and select them for a given application. The machine has a trip-action hammer release, blow counter device and a built-in operator safety device. Manufactured in heavy duty form with hardened steel surfaces for minimum wear. The complete assembly is cadmium plated for corrosion protection.
Filler Compaction Apparatus
Determine the voids content of dry compacted filler. This apparatus consists of:
- cylinder having inside diameter 25.4 mm;
- plunger freely sliding into the cylinder with max. lateral play of 0.20 ± 0.05 mm;
- four columns and metallic base holding the whole.
Crushing
By definition a crushed stone is a construction aggregate. It is created by mining a suitable rock formation and then using a crusher to break it down. Matest offers several solutions to crush the material in fine particles.
Moh’s Hardness Kit
Used for determining the hardness of the surface of the materials. Composed by a case containing 9 minerals of the Moh’s hardness scale and also copper strip, small glass and magnet bar.
Moisture Content
These instruments are used to determine the amount of surface moisture in fine or mixed aggregates. It is about different types of equipment, from flasks to meters and temperature testers.
Rock Mechanics
Rock mechanics is a theoretical and applied science of the mechanical behavior of rock and rock masses; compared to geology, it is that branch of mechanics concerned with the response of rock and rock masses to the force fields of their physical environment.
Particle Shape
When designing a civil project it is important to think about the right material to use. In the case of aggregates, the shape of the particles is one of the most important factors to be taken into account.
These devices are used for different purposes, from measuring the length/thickness ratio of individual particles to determining the aggregate flakiness index and particle shape.
Accelerated Polishing Machine
Determine the polished stone value with this machine that measures the resistance of road aggregates, paving stones, paving blocks, to the polishing action of vehicle types on a road surface.
